Erythritol compositions for teeth and gums

Abstract

An oral hygiene composition for use in cleansing a subject's teeth and gingiva can include an effective amount of erythritol admixed with an acceptable carrier. The oral hygiene composition can be configured into a gel or paste that is capable of being applied to one of a subject's tooth and gingiva in a sufficient amount so as to be retained thereto for a duration adequate for cleansing the subject's teeth and gingiva. Additionally, a method of oral cleansing in a subject incapable of adequately self-performing dental hygiene techniques can include administering the oral hygiene composition to one of the subject's tooth and gingiva. The method can also include retaining the oral hygiene composition to the one of the tooth and gingiva for a sufficient duration to effect the oral cleansing.

1 . An oral hygiene composition for use in cleansing a subject's teeth and gingiva, the composition comprising: 
 an effective amount of erythritol that is capable of cleansing the subject's teeth or gingiva; and    an acceptable carrier admixed with the effective amount of erythritol, wherein the acceptable carrier is configured into a composition that is capable of being applied to at least one of a subject's tooth or gingiva in a sufficient amount so as to be retained thereto for a duration adequate for cleansing the subject's teeth or gingiva.    
   
   
       2 . A composition as in  claim 1 , wherein the erythritol is present at a concentration from about 10% to about 80% by weight of the composition.  
   
   
       3 . A composition as in  claim 2 , wherein the carrier includes a thickening agent.  
   
   
       4 . A composition as in  claim 3 , wherein the carrier includes calcium agent.  
   
   
       5 . A composition as in  claim 4 , wherein the carrier includes a component selected from the group consisting of preservatives, humectants, polishing agents, acidic agents, buffers, enhancers, flavorants, softeners, plasticizers, and emulsifiers, and desensitizing agents, malodor agents, and non-cariogenic sweeteners, wherein the composition is substantially devoid of a cariogenic sweetener.  
   
   
       6 . A method of oral cleansing in a subject incapable of adequately self-performing dental hygiene techniques, the method comprising: 
 administering a oral hygiene composition to at least one of the subject's tooth or gingiva, the oral hygiene composition including an effective amount of erythritol admixed into an acceptable carrier; and    retaining the oral hygiene composition to the at least one of the tooth or gingiva for a sufficient duration to effect the oral cleansing.    
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein the method includes inhibiting at least one of bacteria acid production or bacteria growth.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the method includes inhibiting formation of dental caries.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein the method includes reducing plaque buildup on the subject's tooth.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the method includes reducing a bacterial film on one of the teeth and gingiva.  
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein the method includes reducing teething-associated inflammation or soreness.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the inhibiting occurs during or after teething.  
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein the administering delivers an effective quantity to effect the oral cleansing  
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein the oral hygiene composition is a gel.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein the administering is by at least one of a cotton tip applicator, toothbrush, gauze, pad, or gel dispenser.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the sufficient amount includes at least one drop of the gel.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the administering is part of a therapeutic regimen that includes at least 3 separate acts of administering per day.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the administering occurs after eating or before sleeping.  
   
   
       19 . A method of treating and/or preventing dental caries in a child, the method comprising: 
 administering a oral hygiene composition to at least one of the child's tooth or gingiva in an effective amount, the oral hygiene composition including erythritol admixed into an acceptable carrier, the acceptable carrier including at least one component selected from the group consisting of gelling agent, calcium agent, preservative, humectant, flavorant, abrasive agent, non-cariogenic sweetener, and desensitizing agent, wherein the acceptable carrier is configured into a gel;    retaining the oral hygiene composition to the at least one of the tooth or gingiva for a sufficient duration; and    inhibiting at least one of bacteria acid production or bacteria growth.    
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the oral hygiene composition comprises: 
 about 10% to about 80% erythritol;    about 1% to about 50% gelling agent, the gelling agent being selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, celluloses, carboxymethylcelluloses, starches, amyloses, amylopectins, glycogens, chitins, chitosans, agars, carrageenans, guars, pectins, xanthans, glucomannan gums, and combinations thereof; and    about 1% to about 5% calcium agent, the calcium agent being selected from the group consisting of calcium, calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium gluconate, calcium glycerol phosphate, mono-calcium phosphate, mono-calcium phosphate anhydrous, di- and tri-calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, calcium lactate, calcium phosphate, and combinations thereof.